APIC launches consumer awareness campaign

The campaign aims to inform the public of the infection preventionist''s role in health care settings and ways in which patients can stay safe from infections, the release stated.

According to the release, the campaign, titled "Infection Prevention and You," provides print material outlining information to help guide important conversations patients should hold with their health care team to prevent infection.

It is also the first consumer campaign of its kind designed to educate patients about infection preventionists — a growing profession of dedicated experts who partner with the broader health care team and implement evidence-based methods to ensure that patients, health care personnel, volunteers and visitors avoid health care-associated infections (HAIs), the release noted.

"Patients often feel intimidated in the health care setting and may not know what to say or what do to stay safe," said APIC Communications Committee chair Ann Marie Pettis, who assisted in developing the campaign content.

"Many also don''t understand the important role infection preventionists play in patient safety. The information in this campaign helps patients understand that they can play an active role in their health care to prevent health care-associated infections and medical error. We hope hospitals and health care organizations will use these materials to promote quality and safety initiatives within their facilities," Pettis added.